Choosing Travel Mantras + Keeping Them with You (Plus, a Giveaway!)

I believe in living life with purpose and following passions whole-heartedly. For me, I have a passion for (surprise, surprise) traveling. I love the emotional state I’m in when in movement. I love the way any everyday moment is exciting and new. I love the lessons learned, both difficult and fun. I love the challenges that each new day brings and I love the self-reflection that comes with all of these things. It was this self-reflection that led me to my many mantras.

Mantra [original to Hinduism + Buddhism] a word or sound repeated to aid in concentration

Mantras, to me, can be just about anything you want them to be. It can be a single word, it can be a paragraph; you can have one or you can have one hundred. The important thing is to have something to come back to when you’re discouraged, uninspired or simply wondering what the hell am I doing?

If you’re looking for a mantra to keep you focused on travel here are a few tips for finding the perfect one(s) for you:

» Don’t stress about finding THE perfect mantra for you. Have as few or as many as you want, this is all about you.

» Look to favorite quotes, movies, sounds or books that inspire you and use lines from them!

» Don’t worry if your mantra(s) look like anyone else’s mantra(s). If yours seems less obvious, significantly short or whatever way you might compare yours to someone else’s, just let it go. This is, again, all about you.

My mantras are a series of my favorite quotes or snippets of quotes that I find myself scribbling over and over in journals, quoting to friends or replaying in my own head. I would say that I have 10 quotes that I would truly consider my mantras:

For the love of wanderlust – there’s a reason I chose this for my blog’s name. The biggest reason that I travel is simply because I have a passion for it. I do the things I do to save money, to work harder, to get through the bad days traveling and so much more simply because I have a true love for wanderlust

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir – The mountains are my temple and I try to heed their call as often as possible.

“It’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever we want to be. There’s no time limit stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie – I mean, what a quote to give you strength + courage to wander + live.

“Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain – This is from a longer, beautiful quote but these are the three parts I repeat.

“Adventure is worthwhile.” – Amelia Earhardt – My reminder that while this passion can seem unorthodox or even a waste to others, it is worthwhile to me. It’s a part of me, and I’m not ashamed to disagree with others because it is worthwhile.

“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.” – Jack Kerouac – This was my coming home mantra from Asia and it is one I go back to over and over since then.

How to keep your mantra(s) close:

» Write them down – keep them fresh in your mind. I scribble mine down in all of my journals – almost immediately after I get a new one.

» Feel extreme? Get it tattooed on you – I know this may seem extreme, but I know it isn’t too crazy. How? Because I have a ship symbolizing the “Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain quote. I love carrying it with me wherever I go.

» Get / make a work of art with your mantra on it – being able to look right into it as a beautiful way to keep your mantra in plain site, but also to share it with others every time they enter your home-base.

» Wear it near your heart – having something tangible to hold on to when you’re frustrated about working that extra shift to save up for the next trip, nervous on a flight or just feeling blissful, there’s something about having a wanderlusty accessory!

I want to give one of you your own ‘Adventure is Calling’ necklace to keep near to your heart:

This beautiful, hammered necklace has two pendants – one says ‘Adventure’ and the other has a delicate compass. This necklace, provided by Becoming Jewelry, is available in silver or gold, and it’s up to you to choose! Simply enter to win below, and you can also enter on Instagram by following both For the Love of Wanderlust + Becoming Jewelry and tag a friend you think would like to own one of these beauties.

To Enter the Giveaway You May Do So Below (If the box doesn’t load, simply hit refresh!)

This giveaway is open to all residents worldwide. One winner will receive one ‘Adventure is Calling’ necklace [your choice of silver or gold]. Multiple entries are encouraged. The winner must be willing to offer valid mailing address to receive your necklace. Any questions? Feel free to contact me at fortheloveofwanderlust@aol.com

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Paige Wunder is currently traveling the world full-time with her husband. When she’s not hiking in the mountains or planning a backpacking trip, she’s taking a road trip or sampling some delicious craft beer. She loves sharing her adventures both big & small.

22 Comments

Thank you so much! I agree. It doesn’t even have to be something you chant everyday, at least in my personal interpretation of mantras, it’s just something to remind or inspire when you need that extra bit of focus.

I know so many people who would wholeheartedly concur with all you’ve written here. Personally I find I don’t need mantras, but we are all wired differently. A firm believer is doing whatever it takes to keep up motivation and to make us do whatever it is we want to do.

This is so nice! I have heard of mantras before and have used them in my darkest times to build up self confidence after a bad break up. I never thought about using them for travel inspiration. I like the idea of the necklace too – I have a citrine stone that I wear around my neck for courage :). Also love that you mentioned that Benjamin Button quote – it is so true! We can always start again if we want – every minute is a new opportunity.

They’re really great in the dark times for sure. I like the idea of using them in the good too. To inspire, motivate and grow as well. I’m glad to hear you feel that they’ve worked for you. I love the idea of wearing stones. I have a small jar with different stones in them that I keep near at home, but being able to carry it close sounds perfect! I saw Benjamin Button in theaters and I couldn’t get that quote out of my head. I was 18 and in my first semester of college and that quote just breathed this insane life and motivation into me! Thanks for taking the time to read and leaving a great, thoughtful comment! Cheers!

First of all, I think I entered every which way I could because this is just epic. I honestly love your jewelry selections, you inspired me to get that gold world map necklace and I love how befitting this mantra piece is to your giveaway. Very carefully thought out. I carry mantras with me, one that I remind myself each and everyday is “Live and let live.” I feel like travelers force their own opinions on their host country without respecting the cultural differences. I think that’s the anthropologist in me 🙂 Anyways, gorgeous post and I love how you inspire others to commit their travels into a mantra!

Izzy, I truly don’t think I have ever met a kinder or more thoughtful person in my life! You’re just so sweet and encouraging! I TRULY hope our paths cross to physically see each other again soon!
I love the ‘Live and let live’ mantra! I find the anthropologist comes out in me a lot while traveling as well. I struggle sometimes with the concept of “normal”, which shows up in food (among other things, of course) a lot for me. I struggle eating things that aren’t “normal” compared to what I eat at home. I just try so hard to keep an open mind because I’ve found that my opinion on things sometimes change when visiting a new country or culture.
Thanks for being you and for sharing your beautiful, supportive, creative soul! Xx

travelerettenyc

August 11, 2016 at 3:20 pm

That necklace is pretty! I actually do have a travel mantra. There’s an old play called The Matchmaker about two young men who go to NYC for the first time. They have a code word to say to each other any time they are having an adventure–pudding! So I always say Pudding if I feel I am having an adventure too. No one knows what it means but me.

Sophie

August 12, 2016 at 6:35 am

I’ve never had a travel mantra, but more life mantras. My fave is based on a line by Twain- It’s about the life in your years, basically that it’s not how long, but how you life. I’ve lived a life of traveling and I wouldn’t change a thing as it makes me, me. Great post!

That’s one of my mantras (I called it the Explore. Dream. Discover. quote). My ship tattoo represents that one! It’s so long that I think everyone paraphrases it! Haha Thanks for sharing yours! Cheers!

I Haven’t Been Everywhere, But It’s On My List

Meet the Wanderer

As a lover of all things travel, Paige Wunder is falling in love with the world and its cultures one day at a time. She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all around wanderess. Follow along on her adventures - big and small - across this beautiful world.

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